by Sarah Noffke
“Furthest thing from it,” the nurse said. “All my drugged patients think so though.”
Jack smiled, pressing back into his pillow as the nurse emptied a vial into his IV.
“Well, isn’t that the sweetest thing though,” she said, her eyes cast on the far side of the room. The crow’s feet deepened as she smiled.
Jack turned in the direction of her gaze to find Zuma with her arms wrapped around Finley’s abdomen. And his arms around her. Her head nestled on his shoulder.
He turned his eyes back on the woman. “How much morphine did you give me? I’m seeing hallucinations,” Jack said.
She howled with sudden laughter. “Oh, honey, you’re my new favorite patient.”
The nurse’s laughter made Zuma blink awake. Finley pulled his head up from its resting place.
Jack turned to the couple, ready to take a little mock hostility out on them. In truth, Jack almost liked the sight of them together. Since the beginning he’d been relieved that someone actually had an effect on Zuma, the girl of stone. He had always wished it would have been him. But it wasn’t. And then Jack had kissed Zuma on the night of Dave’s death and to his astonishment he’d felt nothing. He always pictured that one event would shatter realms all over magical galaxies, but it didn’t. He wasn’t meant for Zuma and it was actually a relief. He was certain he didn’t know how to make her happy and would die trying. But Finley…he somehow made sense with Zuma. And whereas before that would have made him angry, now it filled Jack with hope. If Zuma, the unlovable girl, could find love, then Jack could find his own miracle.
“So… looks like the rescue trip built some bridges between you two,” Jack said, a scowl on his face, but a lightness in his voice.
The nurse chuckled again and took her leave.
“Uhhh…” Finley said, sitting up a bit but keeping his one arm around Zuma. “Yeah, if you wouldn’t have run off and almost got yourself killed I never would have had the opportunity to earn Zuma’s sympathies. Thanks, buddy.”
“No problem,” Jack grumbled.
Zuma pushed up away from Finley, giving him an irritated look.
“Is that what you think this is?” she said, motioning between her and Finley. “You think this is sympathy? Because you grew up in a warehouse with a mercenary?” She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You’re ridiculous,” she said and then added, “And dead wrong.”
“You always think I’m wrong,” Finley said, sounding amused.
“You are always wrong,” she said, matching his playful tone. And then she drew her eyes over to Jack. “And yes.” She motioned between her and Finley. “This just kind of happened.”
“Just kind of happened?” Finley said with a huff. “You mean after I repeatedly professed my undying love for you? Is that what you mean by ‘kind of happened’?”
“Oh, stop making it all sound romantic,” she said, giving Finley a sideways look.
He held his hands up in surrender. “Just stating the facts.”
Jack laughed, and although the noise actually sounded more like a cat hacking up a hairball it was in fact a laugh. “Well, you two are adorably revolting,” he said.
“Thanks,” Zuma said. “And I totally agree.” She then sat back and nestled herself in Finley’s arms. It felt so right to her, zero hesitation.
“But what are you going to do when we get back to Vagabond Circus? I suspect Titus will maintain the rules,” Jack said.
“I’ll quit,” Finley said at once.
Zuma shot around and regarded him like he’d said something in a made up language. “What? You can’t do that!”
“Well, you have any better ideas?” Finley asked.
“Our act though?” Zuma said.
He nodded, having thought through the dilemma. Their act had been the saving grace to Vagabond Circus, ensuring its doors would stay open and it would grow with wealth. “Let’s figure that out later.” Finley then turned his sharp greenish eyes on Jack. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Like I’m floating,” Jack said.
Zuma smiled. “Sounds like good drugs.”
“Yeah, and it’s even better because I’ve sorely missed the flying trapeze,” Jack said.
“Me too,” Finley and Zuma said in unison and then flashed each other smiles.
The door to Jack’s room then swung open again and a woman with rich golden hair cut into a neat bob rushed through, followed by two men. “Oh, darling Jack, what have you done to yourself?” the woman said, her Georgia, southern accent making her words draw out.
“Mom?” Jack said and again attempted to sit up and failed. “What are you doing here?”
Zuma stood at once. “Mrs. Fuller, I said I’d call you when Jack was ready for visitors.”
“Oh, I got tired of waiting,” she said, dismissing Zuma with a wave of her well-manicured hand. She wore a purple pant suit and a look of entitlement. “Good to see you, dear,” she said, planting a light kiss on either side of Zuma’s cheeks before turning to Jack. “And you,” she said to Jack, her voice shifting. “What have you done to yourself?” she repeated, her red lips pursing.
“Good to see you too, Mom,” Jack said and then angled his head at the older and younger men behind her. “Hi, Dad. Hi, Keith.”
“Hello, Jack,” his father said. He had Jack’s same brown hair but his was not highlighted with blond. He wore his wire-rimmed glasses up high on his skinny nose.
“How are you feeling, Jack?” his brother said, picking up the chart held at the base of Jack’s bed and flipping through it.
“You’re the doctor holding my chart, so why don’t you tell everyone,” Jack said, sounding contemptuous.
Dr. Fuller had three medical degrees and actually worked in a different hospital, but he’d made the trek to this side of the city at his parents’ request. Keith scrutinized the chart and then slapped it shut.
“Well, he’ll live,” he informed his parents.
“Good, good,” his father said like he’d just heard the score for a tennis match.
“Now tell me what happened,” his mother said.
“He fell during a practice,” Zuma said at once. “Just like I told you,” and she drew out the word, taking the position in front of Jack’s bed. “He doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“I just knew you’d get yourself in trouble one day with those damned circus stunts,” Mrs. Fuller said, her hands on her hip.
“Mom,” Jack said.
“It’s true,” she said, shaking her head, her hair not swaying with the movement, all perfectly sprayed into place. “If you had a normal job like, like your brothers Keith or Jason or Ryan then this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Right.” Jack chomped on the word.
Keith was the chief of staff for the largest hospital in LA County. Jason was a rocket scientist for NASA. Ryan was the highest paid supermodel in the world. Normal jobs.
Finley, feeling like his presence was unnecessary, decided to try to make an exit. And also the more he watched of this family reunion the more he considered that not having a family had perks.
“Zuma, I’m going to go grab us some water,” he said quietly, standing and making for the exit using a fraction of his super speed to avoid questions from Jack’s family.
“Who was that?” his mother said when Finley had dashed for the exit.
“He’s a friend,” Zuma said, tossing her hand through her hair and trying to figure out how to get Jack’s family to leave.
Keith stepped forward. Dressed in a pin-striped suit, he was taller than Jack, his shoulders a bit wider, but he had the same brown and blond hair as his brother. All the Fuller boys had that hair, a mix of both of their parents. Keith said to Zuma, “Hello Zuma. It’s been too long,” he said, offering her his hand.
She wrung it lightly, her eyes to the side. “Has it?” Zuma said in a disinterested voice.
“It has and may I be bold enough to inform you that you’re more bea
utiful than I remember,” Keith said.
“I haven’t showered in two days,” she said dryly.
“Well, then I can only imagine how stunning you’d be fixed up,” Keith said, pushing a bit of errant hair off her shoulders.
“You might be disappointed, then,” Zuma said. Her face grew red with anger. How was Keith’s attention not on his brother right then? His mother not doting on her bedridden son? His father not more present?
“How about you give me the honor of taking you on a date so I can find out for myself how you look fixed up?” Keith said, a look of pure confidence in his eyes.
“Oh, I would but my fiancé might get jealous,” Zuma said.
“Really?” he said with a disappointed sigh. “Who’s the lucky guy who won your affection?” Keith asked.
“Your brother Jack, of course,” she said, sitting on his bed side and kissing his cheek. Zuma felt Jack tense beside her.
Just go with it, she said in his head over the link.
She could have sworn she heard a laugh in his head, or something like it.
No worries. I’m totally going with it, Jack said silently. And then Zuma felt his arms pull around her, his chin on her shoulder.
His brother eyed the two, doing a poor job of showing his envy. Instead of congratulations Keith said, “Where’s the ring?”
“It’s too big and heavy so Jack is having an everyday one made,” Zuma said.
Jack smiled at her, enjoying the look of awe on his brother’s face. Keith had been asking Zuma out for the last three years. It felt good to finally have something his older brother wanted and couldn’t have. He pulled his arms around her waist and tugged her closer to him.
“Yes, I’m a very lucky man,” Jack said, and then kissed her cheek, lingering a bit too long, Zuma thought.
“Well, this is an improvement,” his mother said. “I have to say I’m very pleased about this. Zuma is a fine catch and has incredible Dream Traveler blood.”
Jack rolled his eyes. It was always about pretenses with his mother.
“Indeed,” his father finally spoke up. “Congratulations, Jack. This is really fine news.”
Finley walked through the door, holding two bottles of water in his hands, and then he froze at the sight before him. Zuma sat on Jack’s bed, his arms around her. She turned around and caressed Jack’s cheek. “I’m truly the lucky one. Jack is the best catch a girl could ever get,” she said.
“Well, when’s the wedding?” his mother asked, her tone having changed into one of excitement and approval.
Zuma didn’t answer since Finley dropped the bottles of water, arresting everyone’s attention.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Finley whipped down at super speed and gathered the dropped water bottles which were rolling, making their way for people’s feet. When he rose to full height Jack’s mother stepped forward, arching a thin eyebrow at him.
“And who might you be?” she said, the prime example of intimidation.
“Finley Anders,” he said, placing the bottles on a table before offering a confident hand to her.
She took it, her grasp strong. “Mrs. Eva Fuller,” she said, her southern accent dripping from her deep voice. “And my husband Jack Fuller the first and Dr. Keith Fuller,” she said, waving her hand dismissively at the two men behind her. They both gave Finley a disinterested wave, their eyes focused on the TV hanging from the far wall playing a baseball game on mute.
“Anders,” she said to Finley, rolling the name around in her mind. “Are you related to George Anders? He’s the only one I know of with Dream Traveler blood.” Mrs. Fuller had assumed Finley was a Dream Traveler. Firstly, because his super speed hadn’t gone unnoticed by the woman who prided herself on observing everything. And secondly because she’d encouraged her family to only have dealings with people of their own race. Jack’s friends would only be Dream Travelers. She just didn’t believe that Middlings and Dream Travelers were well served to interact. It was good for no one.
“Uhhh,” Finley said, eyeing Zuma who was shaking her head erratically behind Mrs. Fuller’s back.
“No,” he said, snapping his gaze back on the older woman.
“Oh, too bad, he’s an extremely well-respected Dream Traveler. Who are you related to then?” Mrs. Fuller asked.
“You wouldn’t know them,” Finley said.
“Hmm…” she said, disapproval in her tone. “You’d be surprised. I know all of the influential Dream Travelers and you must be from one of those families with a skill like super speed. What other gifts do you have?”
“Mom,” Jack said, vying for his mother’s attention. “Would you leave my friend alone?”
Finley smiled at the use of the word “friend,” but all that did was endear Mrs. Fuller’s attention more to him. She didn’t hide the way her eyes slid over his face. “You’re very attractive,” she said as more of a careful observation than a compliment. “Are you dating anyone?”
“Mom,” Jack said, this time his tone embarrassed.
She ignored her son and turned to her husband. “I think the Jenkins’ daughter would look fantastic on Finley’s arm. Don’t you think, dear?”
“Sure, sure,” Jack Sr. said, his eyes not leaving the TV screen.
Eva turned back to Finley. “I’m excellent at creating matches amongst Dream Travelers. I consider it a public service. We wouldn’t want great genes like yours accidentally mixed with a Middling’s.”
“Mom,” Jack said a third time.
Again she ignored him, not even appearing to have heard her son. She pulled a phone from her purse, her fingers already scrolling through her contacts. “Now if you’ll just hold tight I’ll arrange a lunch with Wanda Jenkins. She gorg—”
“He’s gay,” Zuma said at once, and then chomped down on her bottom lip.
Finley, who had been dumbstruck since he reentered the room, shot Zuma a shocked look.
Jack tightened his arms around Zuma’s waist and suppressed a laugh.
Mrs. Fuller turned to Zuma and Jack. “Really?”
“Really,” Jack said, his laughing eyes avoiding Finley’s steaming gaze.
“Well, that is too bad. Such a waste,” Eva said, shaking her head, clicking her tongue.
“Yeah. So gay,” Zuma added, not daring to look at Finley now.
“The gayest,” Jack added, enjoying his first bit of fun since his trauma.
“Too too bad,” Mrs. Fuller said, her disappointed gaze on the tile floor, her eyes looking to be searching for a fix to this wrench in her matchmaking plans.
A knock interrupted the group and a second later a doctor with black and gray hair poked his head into the room. “Hello,” he said with a slight Chinese accent, and then spying the group he stepped into the room. “I’m Dr. Chang.” The doctor glided through the room, making his way for Jack’s bed, his hand extended.
However, when he was just a few feet away, Dr. Fuller cut him off. “Good seeing you, James,” he said, extending his hand to the other doctor.
“Oh, hello, Dr. Fuller,” the older man said. He was much shorter than Keith and half his build. “Jack must be your brother, then?”
“Yes,” Keith said, not keeping the disappointment out of his tone.
Dr. Chang, then being released, turned to his patient. “Jack, I’m the doctor assigned to your case. I’d like to take a moment to evaluate you after the surgery.”
“Yes, of course,” Jack said, pulling his arms out from around Zuma, who then stood from the bed.
“And I think some privacy would be welcomed,” the doctor said, turning to the group at his back.
With great effort Jack’s father pulled his gaze from the TV. He’d apparently been listening to the group’s exchange, just not paying close attention.
“Come on, Pops, I know of a place we can catch the rest of the game,” Keith said.
“We will be just outside,” his mother said to Jack, a punishing quality aimed at her husband and eldest son.
“Yeah, we will be just outside,” Finley said, his tone sharper as he reached for Zuma and tugged her to the hallway. “Join me, friend, won’t you?”
She gave Jack a last look over her shoulder, a devilish smile on both their faces.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Finley didn’t release Zuma until they were on the far side of that wing of the hospital, a remote, rarely used corridor. He halted and spun around, his body pinning her to the wall, his hands pinned on her hips.
“You want to tell me what the hell is going on?” he said, his face up close to hers.
“I just saved you from a train wreck. Wanda Jenkins is nuts. And you don’t want Jack’s mother on the hunt trying to set you up. You’ll never have any peace,” Zuma said.
“So you told her I was gay? You could have just told her you were madly in love with me instead,” Finley said, a faint smile around his mischievous eyes.
Zuma turned her dark brown eyes up to him, a look of apology in them. “But they all think Jack and I are together.”
Finley narrowed his gaze at her. “Yeah, about that…”
“Look, I had to. His family are a bunch of jerks and treat him like he’s a second-class citizen. And then his brother hit on me and I thought that it would stick it to him if I rejected him because Jack and I are together. And his parents think better of him for it too. His mom is obsessed with family lineage.” She said all this in a nervous rush.
“I’m seeing a pattern here, Zuma,” Finley said, his eyes having grown sharper as she spoke. “You feel sorry for a guy and you take pity on him. Is that why you kissed me in the warehouse?”
“No, Finley. I did it because I wanted to. And I’m doing this because I want to help Jack to look better in front of his family.”
“Hmmm…” he said, considering her with a long scrutinizing gaze.
“Finley, I wasn’t taking pity on you in the warehouse. And I’m not doing it now. I promise,” Zuma said.
He didn’t say anything since that’s what he expected she wanted, for him to say something. He just kept her pinned by his eyes and close proximity.
“Finley, I actually have feelings for you, and not because of where you came from but because of who you are. Don’t you see that?”